After nearly a month, the African Union (AU) Commission have applied further sanctions by suspending Niger Republic from the pan-African bloc until normal constitutional order is restored in the country following the July 26, 2023 military coup.
The AU also warned its members to avoid any action that might legitimise the junta.
The decision to suspend Niger from AU was made by the Peace and Security Council of the AU Commission during its latest meeting that dwelt on the situation in the western African country, AU said in a statement.
The council reiterated its “unequivocal condemnation” of the military coup in Niger, which resulted in the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum by the military.
The council reaffirmed its full solidarity with the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through diplomatic means.
“The council strongly rejected any external interference by any actor or any country outside the continent in the peace and security affairs in Africa. It also rejected engagements by private military companies in the continent in line with the 1977 OAU Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa,” the statement said.
The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was the predecessor of the AU, before it was disbanded in 2002.
The AU urged the military to place the supreme interests of Niger and its people above all else and to immediately and unconditionally return to the barracks and submit to civilian authorities, which is consistent with the constitution of Niger.
The council also reiterated its deep concern over the resurgence of military coups as it undermines democracy, peace, security, and stability, as well as development on the continent.
Also, ECOWAS envoy to Niger, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), have formally presented the terms given by the military junta to the sub-region for the settlement of the political crisis in the country. This is as Abubakar gave assurances that the crisis is not likely to deteriorate beyond diplomacy.
Abubakar, who is a former Nigerian military Head of State, spoke to journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after a meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS.
At the meeting, which included the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, Abubakar, who had last weekend held a meeting with the ousted President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, and leaders of the junta, said he had delivered the terms of the Abdouramane Tchiani-led junta to ECOWAS.
He said that there has been exchange of correspondences between the West African regional bloc and the military junta in Niger, noting that the line of contact opened by ECOWAS through his appointment as envoy had been very fruitful. He expressed hope that something concrete will soon come out of it.
